Raiders Must Take Advantage Of Rams, Potentially Without Nacua

The Las Vegas Raiders started the season on top of the world, going 3-0 over the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints but have since lost three straight to the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills ahead of their home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7.

The Raiders offense had been cooking with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins under through the Chiefs game in Week 4, but they have taken a step back over the last couple of weeks, prompting many to wonder when rookie Fernando Mendoza gets a shot to make his first National Football League start.

Mendoza entered the Week 5 blowout against the Patriots and completed six of eight passes for 48 yards while rushing once for a three-yard gain. The 23-year-old Heisman Trophy winner has been waiting patiently but it may take another bad loss or two for head coach Klint Kubiak to make the switch.

Kubiak doesn’t like starting rookie QBs, so Cousins would have to turn the ball over a few times and not be able to move the ball in order for Mendoza to get his shot. The Rams defense hasn’t played nearly as well as it’s capable of playing, especially with all the injuries to their top guys, but it’s still a decent unit that will put the pressure on the immobile Cousins.

The Rams are just 2-4 despite having what I believe to be a super team and they just lost to the Arizona Cardinals 18-16, allowing six field goals by Chad Ryland to beat them. Head coach Sean McVay didn’t give his two stars, wide receiver Puka Nacua and running back Kyren Williams, as many touches as they should have had and seemingly took their opponent lightly, costing them the win.

Nacua is listed as questionable for this contest and if he were to miss the game, the Raiders defense could focus most of their attention on Williams, backup RB Blake Corum and the running game – especially with fellow star WR Davante Adams rupturing his hamstring in last week’s game against Arizona.

Las Vegas’ defense has taken a step back during their three losses, but they faced two of the best offenses in the NFL and the Patriots during their best week (Drake Maye had five touchdowns), so facing a less-than-even-strength Rams offense will be welcomed.

Even if it’s just Matthew Stafford and the running game against Las Vegas, there’s still a good chance they can do their thing and come out on top, so the Raiders need to be at their best to avoid a four-game losing streak.